Politics

As an Arab American, I had to overcome my first emotional reaction to President Obama’s speech in order to be able to analyze it from a rational, critical perspective. My first reactions were awe that an American president was speaking these words. This was a speech that was light years away from the hateful rhetoric … Continued

A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group called President Obama’s historic address to the Muslim world today in Cairo “comprehensive, balanced and forthright” and said it may help reverse the deterioration in relations between the United States and Muslim-majority nations. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) hosted a live viewing this morning of … Continued

The Congress of Arab American Organizations (CAAO)—Michigan is scheduled to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Lebanese American Heritage Club, 4335 Maple Street, to address members of the media on community reaction to President Barack Obama’s highly-anticipated speech to the Muslim and Arab worlds. Obama is expected to speak broadly to … Continued

President Barack Obama this week said his long-anticipated speech to the Islamic world, to be delivered in Egypt today, is part of an initiative to “change the conversation” between the United States and Muslims around the globe. But many local Muslims wonder whether the new president’s actions will be enough. Many said they are hoping … Continued

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will hold wide-ranging talks with US President Barack Obama who begins his first Middle East trip today. Obama is expected to seek Arab backing for his bid to revive the Middle East peace process and repair strained ties with the Muslim world. Riyadh, where a large number … Continued

A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy organization today released an open letter to President Obama and to the Muslim world offering specific policy recommendations for the president’s historic address in Cairo on June 4th. In the open letter, Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wrote in … Continued

U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday pressed a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict but failed to win a commitment from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to back Palestinian statehood. In their first White House talks, Obama also urged Netanyahu to freeze Jewish settlement building but sought to reassure Israelis wary about his overtures … Continued